//This post is in collaboration with Craghoppers//
Meet Craghoppers Kiwi backpack collection
Whether you’re weekending in the city or heading off the beaten track, you’ll need a bag that can keep up with all your adventures. Craghoppers‘ new, sustainable Kiwi collection of six rugged, weatherproof bags, starting from £20, are the perfect companions for cycling, hiking and urban exploring. Even better, the packs are constructed using recycled materials including plastic bottles, meaning your new rucksack has a minimal environmental impact. They look pretty fetching, too, combining a retro design with unisex colourways inspired by nature – think forest khakis and autumnal oranges and ochres. Here are my thoughts on my favourite picks from the new collection.
Craghoppers Kiwi Classic Rolltop Backpack
The Kiwi Classic Rolltop, £65, has to be one of the most versatile backpacks I’ve ever tested. It holds a roomy 26 litres, which is more than enough for me to fit in my outdoor swimming kit, my climbing gear or overnight clothing, making it perfect for active weekends away. Heading for the great outdoors? A durable water-resistant coating can withstand a sudden shower, and padded shoulder straps, a chest strap and a comfortable back panel make the rucksack work for hiking. Staying in the city? The rolltop bag’s design includes a padded laptop pocket to protect your tech during your commute, plus multiple well-placed pockets and even a clever ‘café strap’ so you can secure your pack to a table while you’re grabbing a coffee. I like how quick it is to access the main compartment – the wide top zips open for easy access and then cinches down tightly by rolling and clipping. When I travel in the UK and abroad for work I like to have clothing, outdoor gear and my camera kit in one easy-to-access backpack – the Classic Rolltop’s versatility makes it the perfect companion for travelling light. It looks the part, too – I love this autumnal orange colourway and the retro Craghoppers logo, which work just as well in the city as in the wild.
Craghoppers Kiwi Waist Pack
I never thought a waist pack was something I needed until I tried the new Kiwi Classic Waist Pack, £20. This small but mighty bag is insanely useful – it’s compact and light enough to sling over your shoulder or across your body but roomy enough to hold essentials, making it ideal for cycling in the city, shorter hikes or just popping out for coffee when you don’t want to carry a bigger pack. The 1.5l waist pack fits a wallet, phone, notebook, sunglasses and passport in three zipped compartments. It’s the bag I always reach for to run errands or for shorter cycle trips, and I also use mine as a carry-on bag when travelling, popping it in and out of a check-in bag at the airport.
